Oil-distilling apparatus.



J. B. EDWARDS.

04L DISTILLING APPARATUS.

7 APPLICATION HLED SEPT. 19. 196.

2 suns-sneer n I MWENTUR W v ATTORNEY PafentedSefit. 3,1918. 1

I. B. EDWARDS.-

OIL DISTILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. I916.

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M w A: i. a 6 1 A 4 Q 1 m I M, a T 1 r W. 4: Q 8 8 INVENTOR g ATTORNEY 'higher boiling point fractions. to obtain- JOSEPH B. EDWARDS, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO TIDE WATER OIL COMPANY, OF BAYONNE; NEW JERSEY, A COBPORATION JERSEY.

OF NEW Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 191$.

Application filed September 19, 1916. Serial No 120.929.

of Jersey City in the county, of Hudson.

and State of New Jersey. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oil- Distilling Apparatus. of which the following is a sfmeification.

My invention relates apparatus for cracking petroleum or its lighter products, c. [gasolenta and is more particularly concerned with that branch of the art of pressure. distillation wherein a bulk of heated oil is kept under a pressure of the vapors. as in a shell still with or without tubes. In these processes pressures up to and even greater than a hundred pounds are employed. and the resulting fire hazard has led to the adoption of certain )recautious to )revent. bin-nin out. the hotand vapors being at a tent'iperature above the flash point. immediate combustiontakes place. and is fed by the large supply n the still. In this way. not-only he still initially 'atl'ected but many others a 'semble'd in the same battery or vicinity may be destroyed. Such conllagrations have occurred. with sacrifice. of life as well as heavy property loss; and it is the object of this invention to overcome the serious danger thus presented. To this end shut-oi? means are provided at the still outlet for preventing the. pressure in the still driving its contents through the eduction system tollie atmosphere in event of a'break occurring at some point therein. Such shut-oft n'ieans may he whollyautomatic. moving to its seat as the result of the substantial difference in pressure at its opposite faces produced by the opening of the eduction system to the atto pressure distilling mosphere. but, preferably. a semi-automatic mechanism is employed. the valve being selfseating under the pressure. of the vapors or of a counterweight or motor, or both, and being normally restrained by a trigger, which can be withdrawn by an attendant through a control operable at a. point of safety remote from the oduction system, the valve when once closed being held forcibly to its seat by the vapor pressure in the still. In this way an instantaneous and secure. closing of the still can be effected, leaving only the vapors in the eduction system itself to be consumed. but without the-danger ot the shut-off valve becoming seated. when not desired. by an abnormal or sudden rise in pressure in the still, as may occur under certain conditions of firing, and which if the outlet then becai'ne sealed would cause the vapors'to blow off through thereliet valve regularly provided.

In the acconmanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a semi-diagramrnatic view illustrating a pressure. distilling system with the invention embodied therein;

Fig. 2 is' a vertical section through the vapor outlet and shut-otl' means. taken on the line. 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line i-l-3 of Fig. 2: and

Fig. l is a vertical section through the vapor outlet showing another embodiment of shut-off.

In Fig. 1' A represents a petroleum still of suitable t'orm. having a vapor outlet at the top and toward the rear. from which leads the upwardly inclined vapor pipe B of large diameter. having a vertical neck I) secured in the outlet. and at its upper end deliver ing the vapors to a pipe 1 of smaller diameter which conducts them to the top of an aerial condenser 1 whence the distillate passes to a cooler coil (l. and thence through running line ll to receiving drum 1. from whiclnthe gasolene or other. distillate is drawn oft past a high pressure needle regu-.

clined 'apor pipe. as is well known. is for the purpose of condensing and returning to ployed', the

the still all products heavier than the desired distillate, and is constructed of the proper length and withthe proper condensing surface for this purpose. In the foregoing apparatus, which is representative of 4 those now in use, there is no means, except that provided in accordance with this invention, which is capable of shutting oil the flow through the eduction system, until the point M is reached, between the aerial condenser and the cooler coil, where a gate valve N is inserted. This valve is not inother. apparatus not shown. Beyond these valves, that is to say in the cooler coil and subsequently, the oil is below its flash point,

but between them and the still the expansion strains are severe, and even with swing joints there is always the possibility of some part, from the neck' D onward, giving way, in which event there is a frc'ible' escape of highly inflammable vapors and oil above the flash point, With the likelihood of the disastrous consequences above indicated.

To overcome this condition I provide a safety shut-off, at the source, so that the wholeeduction and condensingsystem can be promptly cut off from the contents of the still in event of a rupture at any point in the system. The form of shut-oil shown in Fig. 4 and designated P can be emsamecomprising a hinged flap valve 1 adapted to close against an inclined seat 2 formed on the lower end of a curved continuation 3 of the neck Dwithin the top of the still. This constitutes an automatic check valve, which normally stands'open but is closed the pressure in the vapor pipe falls by reason of a break in this conduit or elsewhere in 'the pressure eduction system.

Since this type of valve when once closed would continue to be held tightly to .its seat,

it becomes nece'ssaryin order toenahle it to open again to provide a relieving line 4,

having a normally closed valve 5 therein,

which when 0 ened. will equalize at opposite si es of the'val've mem. er 1.

For the reasons heretofore stated, how soever, I prefer to use a shut-off under the control of an attendant, of which the form which I regard as most suitable is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and '3 and designated generally P. In accordance with this constructions and thence passing into the.

disposal or to valve which a by the pressure in the still if 'guide lugs 25 for porp is the invention that t valve disk 10 is mounted for vertical movement within the still to coiiperate with a.

" suitable seat'll on the lower inwardly-projecting end of the vapor neck D. This is suspended by a valve stem or rod 12, the upper end of which is pivoted loosely on a pintle 13 carried by the end of an arm 14 within the neck, which arm in. turn is mounted upon a rock-shaft 15 journaled in bearings 16 and 17 in the neck. At one end this shaft passes through the wall of the neck, where a tight joint is preserved by a stufiing box 18, and with the outer portion of the shaft is connected a weight arm 19, which is normally sustained by a trigger 20.

Awire 21 passes fromthis trigger to the front of the still and thence down to box 22 located at a convenient point andadapted to afford access to the end of the wire upon breaking a glass pane, after the manner of a fire-alarm box. In case of a break in the eduction and condenser system it is the work of a moment to pull this wire, whereupon the shutrotl valve closes immediately and is held closed by the still pressure. Manifestly the counterweighting of the valve disk may be'suiiicient to counterbalance or to overbalance the weight of this part.

Attention m of the constructionof the valve. It will be noted that the provision of the rock-shaft 15 obviates a sliding stalling-box and permits the employment of the tighter rotary joint instead. I The arm 14 is removably mounted on this shaft by a pin 23, the hub of the arm through which this pin asses extending to the bearing 16 so as to iold the shaft and arm in position. The loose connection .of the upper end of the rod 12 with the pintle 13 enables the rod to be disengaged therefrom by a tilting movement of the rod and pin 24 is removed. The valve disk canlthen beremoved, inwardly of the still, as for cleaning. In order to enable the valve .stem to be left thus. free, and to avoid the presence of carbon-accumulating guides ay be called to certain details 1 inside the neck of the vapor pipe, I provide 1 the periphery of the disk, these lugs projecting' downward below the valve seat at spaced points and having notches 26 at the seat to prevent carbonbecoming packed at these corners and constituting an obstacle to tight closing,

It is to he understood that various other forms of quick-closing shut-oil valves may be employed. I would also-point out that,

while the apparatus selected for illustration is one in which the pressure of the a' maintained up to and including the region where the gasclene or other desired product condensed is not essential to s condensation take place under pressure, since the pressure can be relieved at the upper end of the vapor pipe if desired, through the provision of a suitable valve, condensation then taking place at atmospherie or ordinary pressure.

It will further be understood'that any exe'essiv'e pressure which might he'created'in the still after the closing of the shut-oli' valve will be relieved through a safety valve bl. oi' the kind regularly provided in these stills.

What l claim as new is:

1. in apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point fractions. the combination with a pressure oil still comprising a shell having a single vapor outlet at the top. a pressure vapor eduction and (it-)IltltlIlSlllg system connected with said outlet. and means for maintaining a substantial back pressure. of the vapors in the'm luction system and still. of shut-ofl means located in the top of the still at the. source of the pressure eduction system for cuttingofl' forcible rush of the highly heated contents of the still through said system to the atmosphere in event of a break beyond the still, an attendants control device. and connections for securing the closing of the shut-oil means.

.2. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point. frac tions, the combination with a pressure. oil still having a vapor outlet, a vapor eduction and condensing system. and means connected 'tluu'cwith for maintaining a substantial back pressure of the vapors. of a shut-oft valve within the still for closing said outlet against the passage of oil or vapors into the ednction system in event ofrupture beyond the still, said valve being constructed to he then held to its seat by the pressure of the vapors in the still.

ln apparatus for pressure crackin of petroleum orits higher boiling point ractions. the combination'with a pressure oil still comprising a shell having a single yapor outlet at the top, a long; upwardly inclined vapor pipe connected with saidoutlet. and means beyond the vapor pipe for maintaining a substantial back pressure therein and in the still. of an upwardly movable quick-acting shutoli" valve cooperative with the vapor outlet and having an ample face exposed to the still pressure. means nornnllly holding: the valve open.'and an attendants device and connections for controlling the quick-acting shut-off valve.

4. in apparatus for pressure cracking of petrolcinn or its higher boiling point tracthins. the combimition with a pressure still and its vapor outlet and pressure educti-on system. of auton atically-elosing shut-ofl means For said outlet comprising a valve exposed to the vapor pressure tending to hold it against the outlet when closed, a trigger normally holding the valve open,

and an operators control remote fromthe educt on system for releasing said trigger.

5. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling, point tractions. the combination with a pressure still and its vapor outlet and pressure eduction system, of automatically closing shut-off means for the outlet comprising a vertically-guided disk valve in the upper part of the still acted upon by the pressure therein tending to hold it against the outlet when closed, means normally holding the valve open, and means operable at a distance from the eduction system for causing the valve to close. I

6. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point, fractions, the combination with a pressure still and its vapor outlet and pressure eduction system, of automatically-closing shut-oil" means for the outlet comprisimg a verticallyguided disk valve in the upper part of the still acted upon by the pressure therein tending to hold it against the outlet when closed, a valve steni, a weight connected with the valve stem tending-to close the valve, :1 trig ger normally supporting the weight. and means forwithdrawing the trigger.

7. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petrolelnn or its-higher boiling point fractions, the combination with .a pressure still having a vapor outlet a vapor pipe leading from the outlet, a disk valve within the upper part of the still beneath the outlet and havil ig a stem extending upward into the vapor pipe, a transverse lOVk-Sllilit journaled in the vapor pipe and passing at one end through the wall of the same, anarm on the rock-shaft within the pipe connecting with the valve stem, and operating means connected with the rock-shaft outside the pipe.

8. ln apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point fractions, the combination with a pressure still having a vapor outlet provided. with a valve seat and a pressure vapor pipe. of a valve disk within the top of the still movable upard against said seal, guides or the periphery oi the valve diskprojecting:- down' ward below the valve seat at spaced points. a transverse rock-shaft jourualed in and pro- .jecting at one end from the vapor pipe and provided therein with an arm. a tree rod connecting the valve. disk with said arm. and meansconnected with the exterior portion of the rock-shaft for controlling the valve.

9. ln apparatln; for pressure crackin ol' petrolexun or its higher boiling point ractions. the combination with a pressure still having a vapor outlet provided with a valve seat and a pressure vapor pipe. of a valve disk within the top of the still movable up wa'rd against said seat. guides for the periphery of the valve disk projecting down ward below the valve seat at spaced points, a transverse rock-shaft journaled in and projecting at one end from the vapor pipe and provided therein with an arm, means separably connecting said disk with the arm whereby the disk may be removed inwardly of the still, and valve-controlling means con 'nected with the exterior portion of the rockshaft 10. In apparatus for pressure orackingof petroleum or its higher boiling point fractions, the combination with a. pressure still having a vapor outlet providedwith a valve seat and a pressure vapor pipe, of a shut-off valve comprising a valve disk within the top of the still movable upward against said seat, and guides for the periphery of the valve disk projecting downward below the seat at spaced points, said guides being notched'at the seat to prevent accumulation of carbon at these points.

11.v In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point fractions, the combination with a pressure oil still having a vapor outlet opening in its top, and a pressure vapor eduction system including a vapor pipe connected with the outlet opening of the still, of a valve seat adjacent the inlet of the vapor pipe, a valve movable toward and from the valve seat and adapted to be held thereto by the pressure of the vapors when closed following a rupture in the external. pressure system, and ex-r ternal control means for causing the closing of the valve.

12. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point free tions, the combination with apressure oil still having a vapor outlet opening in its top, and a pressure vapor eduction system including a vapor pipe having a neclrv ezrtemling through said outlet opening into the still, of an annular valve seat end of said neck, a vertically guided disk beneath the valve seat having a rod extending upward into the neck and adapted to he raised against the seat, there to be held by the pressure of the vapors in event of rupture in the external system, and external control means connected with said rod and having its connection passing through the wall of the vapor pipe.

13. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point fractlions, the combination with a pressure oil still, and a pressure vapor eduction system leadin therefrom, of a valve seat adjacent the in st of said eduction system, a valve movable toward and from said seat and adapted to be held against the same by the pressure of the vapors in the still in event I of rupture in the external system, means for on the lower memes holding the valve open away from the seat, and external control means operatively connected with the valve to cause closing of the same.

14:. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point frac tions, the combination with a pressure still having a vapor outlet opening at the top, and. a pressure eduction system comprising a vertical neck connected to said outlet 0pcning and with an inclined vapor pipe, of an annular valve seat at the lower end of said neck, a vertically-movable normally-open shutotl' valve disk in the upper part of the still cooperative with said valve seat and means for securing the closing of the valve comprising parts extending wlthin the neck and exteriorly thereto and terminating in an attendants device.

15. In apparatus for pressure cracking; of petroleum or higher boiling point free tions, the combination with a pressure still having a vapor outlet in its top, and a pressure eduction system leading therefrom, of a horizontallydisposed annular valve seat in the still at the entrance to the vapor outlet, a vertically-mo "able normally-open shutofi valve disk cooperative with said seat,

guides for the periph ry of said disk extendlugdownward below the seat, and means extending from the disk within the outlet and connected with external mechanism for securing the operation of the valve.

16. In apparatus for pressure cracking of petroleum or its higher boiling point tr etions, the combination with a pressure oil still comprising a shell having a single vapor outlet, a pressure eduction system leading therefrom, and means for maintaining a substantial back pressure in the eduction system and still, ofa normally-open shutofi valve I cooperative with said vapor outlet for cutting of forcible rushof the highly heated contents of the still through the pressure reduction system to the atmosphere in event of a break beyond the still, an attendants device, and means whereby closing of the valve is controlled by said device.

17, In apparatus for pressure cracking off petroleum or its higher boiling point fractions, the combination with still comprising a shell having a vapor outlet opening in the top, pressure eduction system comprisin to the outlet opening, and means for maintaining' a substantial back pressure in the.

vapor eduction system and still, of a valve seat on said necln and a shut-oil valve movable toward and from said seat and adapted when closed to be held sure in the still.

Josiirn e. newness.

a pressure oila vertical neck secured are thereto by the pres-- 

